Head of Psychosocial Department

What if dementia care could be more than managing decline — what if it could be about creating joy, connection, and purpose every single day?  At Apex Harmony Lodge (AHL), Singapore’s only dedicated dementia-care nursing home, we’re looking for a Head of Psychosocial Department (HOP) who believes the answer is yes!  The Lodge is a 210-bed healthcare facility which provides a safe, nurturing and engaging environment for persons with dementia (PWDs) so that they may thrive and live well. The HOP will be the strategic and operational leader driving AHL’s psychosocial vision.

Reporting directly to the CEO, this role leads a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, social workers, and engagement specialists to deliver evidence-based PWD care that improves residents’ quality of life, strengthens family partnerships, and advances sector-wide best practice.  The ideal candidate is a clinical psychologist with leadership and research experience, a strong foundation in elderly and dementia care, and the ability to inspire teams to embrace innovation while staying grounded in compassion and dignity. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Leadership & Team Development

• Shape and execute a psychosocial care strategy that integrates clinical, emotional, and social wellbeing for PWDs 
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team to deliver excellence in dementia care, behaviour support, and resident engagement 
• Champion a culture of personhood and empowerment, ensuring that psychosocial wellbeing is central to all care decisions and operations
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership to translate organisational vision and mission into actionable psychosocial programmes and outcomes

2. Person-Centred Psychosocial Care for Residents with Dementia

• Lead the development and implementation of individualized living well care plans that address cognitive, emotional, and behavioural needs 
• Oversee regular assessment of residents’ mood, behaviour, and cognitive function, adjusting interventions accordingly 
• Promote non-pharmacological approaches to managing behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia 
• Provide guidance in regular rounds, assessments, behavioral interventions, and crisis management 
• Collaborate closely with nursing and medical teams to ensure continuity between psychosocial, medical, and daily living care approaches
• Strengthen family engagement through education, counselling, and co-creation of care plans that honour residents’ unique life stories and preferences

3. Evidence-Based Practice and Research

• Drive adoption of non-pharmacological interventions, cognitive stimulation programmes, and behavioural support frameworks (e.g. Validation Therapy, Reminiscence Therapy, Montessori approaches) to enhance residents’ quality of life) 
• Lead research initiatives, including conceptualization, data analysis, and reporting 
• Oversee dementia care innovation and research with our partners, evaluate programme outcomes, and share learnings through sector collaborations 
• Publish and present findings at professional forums and conferences to establish AHL as a thought leader in dementia care innovation
• Work with internal and external partners to enhance our environment as a therapeutic and inspiring space 
• Ensure that all psychosocial interventions are ethically sound, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive to the Singapore context

4. Staff Training, Coaching, and Support

• Supervise, mentor, and develop and train staff in the multiple clinical departments 
• Build the psychosocial skills and confidence of nursing, allied health, and care staff through structured training in communication, de-escalation, and empathetic engagement with residents 
• Provide case discussions and supervision for complex behavioural cases 
• Foster a shared culture of dignity, respect, and emotional sensitivity to residents’ needs across the organisation 
• Support staff resilience and reduce burnout through reflective practice sessions and mental wellness initiatives 
• Partner with nursing, medical, and corporate teams to ensure psychosocial principles are embedded in daily care routines 
• Develop and track competency frameworks and learning pathways to build long-term psychosocial care capability within AHL

Key Competencies 

• Visionary leadership grounded in person-centred and ability-centred care 
• Strong background in dementia psychology, behavioural interventions, and emotional wellbeing 
• Proven capacity to lead and inspire multidisciplinary teams 
• Skilled in translating evidence-based research into practical, sustainable care models 
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with staff, residents, families, and partners 
• Resilience, adaptability, and a genuine commitment to advancing dementia care 

Requirements 

Master’s or Doctorate in Clinical Psychology or related discipline with substantial dementia-care experience.

• Registered with Singapore Psychological Society
• Minimum 5 years’ leadership in eldercare or dementia-focused settings
• Experience in developing and implementing psychosocial care programmes
• Familiarity with Singapore’s eldercare frameworks is an advantage
• Experience in driving innovation and influencing cross-functional teams

Submit your resume to recruit@apexharmony.org.sg to apply today!